desprezar in 30 Seconds
- Desprezar means to despise or scorn.
- It implies a strong feeling of contempt and superiority.
- Used for people, actions, or ideas deemed worthless.
- More intense than just 'dislike'.
The Portuguese verb desprezar translates to 'to despise,' 'to scorn,' or 'to look down upon' in English. It signifies a strong feeling of contempt, disdain, or a deep repugnance towards someone or something. It's not just a mild dislike; it implies a judgment that the object of contempt is worthless, inferior, or offensive. People use desprezar when they feel that someone or something is beneath them, morally reprehensible, or simply not worthy of any respect or consideration. This can manifest in attitudes, words, or actions that convey a sense of superiority and rejection.
Consider situations where someone might desprezar a person's actions that they deem unethical or immoral. For instance, a politician might be accused of despising the common people if their policies seem to ignore or disregard their needs and struggles. Similarly, one might desprezar a certain type of behavior, like arrogance or cruelty, viewing it as fundamentally unacceptable. The intensity of the emotion behind desprezar makes it a powerful word to convey strong negative judgment and a complete lack of regard.
In literature and more formal contexts, desprezar can be used to describe characters who hold others in extreme contempt, often due to social class, moral failings, or perceived intellectual inferiority. It suggests a deliberate act of looking down on someone, often with a sense of superiority. The feeling can be so strong that it leads to active avoidance or even hostility. When you encounter desprezar, think of a profound and often dismissive negative judgment.
- Synonyms
- Contemptuously look down on, scorn, disdain, look down one's nose at, hold in contempt.
- Antonyms
- Admire, respect, appreciate, value, esteem.
Ele parecia desprezar as opiniões de todos que discordavam dele.
- Usage Context
- Social Commentary: Often used to criticize individuals or groups who show arrogance or disdain towards others, especially those perceived as lower in status or different. Moral Judgment: Applied when someone's behavior is seen as deeply unethical, corrupt, or offensive, leading to a strong feeling of repulsion. Personal Disdain: Can describe a strong personal aversion to someone's character, habits, or beliefs, making them seem contemptible.
A sociedade muitas vezes parece desprezar aqueles que não se encaixam nos padrões.
Using desprezar effectively involves understanding its transitive nature (it usually takes a direct object) and the strong emotional weight it carries. It's typically used to describe a deliberate act of showing contempt or a deep-seated feeling of repugnance. You can desprezar a person, their actions, their beliefs, or even abstract concepts like injustice or ignorance.
When constructing sentences, consider the subject performing the action of despising and the object being despised. For example, 'O crítico desprezou o novo livro, chamando-o de superficial.' (The critic despised the new book, calling it superficial.) Here, 'o crítico' is the subject, and 'o novo livro' is the object. The verb desprezar is conjugated according to the subject and tense.
The intensity of desprezar means it's often used in contexts where strong opinions or judgments are being expressed. It can be a powerful tool in narrative writing to characterize individuals who are haughty, judgmental, or morally superior. For instance, 'Desde criança, ela desprezava a mentira e a hipocrisia.' (Since childhood, she despised lies and hypocrisy.) This sentence highlights a core value and a strong aversion.
You might also see desprezar used reflexively, as in 'ele se despreza,' meaning 'he despises himself.' However, this is less common than despising others. The primary usage revolves around looking down on something or someone else. Remember that desprezar implies a significant gap in perceived worth or quality, where the subject feels inherently superior to the object of their contempt.
- Verb Conjugation
- Present Indicative: eu desprezo, tu desprezas, ele/ela/você despreza, nós desprezamos, vós desprezais, eles/elas/vocês desprezam. Past Participle: desprezado.
O rico desprezava a pobreza e aqueles que a viviam.
- Sentence Structure
- Subject + desprezar (conjugated) + Object. Example: 'Eu desprezo a injustiça.' (I despise injustice.)
Não devemos desprezar ninguém por sua origem social.
You'll encounter desprezar in a variety of settings, often where strong emotions or judgments are being expressed. In everyday conversations, it might come up when people are discussing social issues, criticizing someone's behavior, or expressing personal strong dislikes. For instance, friends might talk about how a celebrity seems to desprezar the media, or how a character in a movie despreza everyone around them.
Literature and film are rich grounds for finding desprezar. Authors frequently use it to characterize antagonists who are arrogant, elitist, or morally corrupt, showcasing their contempt for others. A novel might describe a nobleman who despreza the peasants, or a villain who despreza all forms of kindness. This word helps to paint a vivid picture of a character's inner world and their view of society.
News and opinion pieces also frequently employ desprezar, particularly when discussing political or social commentary. Journalists might report on politicians being accused of despising certain segments of the population, or analysts might describe how a particular ideology seems to desprezar established norms. It's a word that lends itself well to expressing strong critiques and judgments.
In more formal discussions, such as in academic settings or philosophical debates, desprezar can be used to describe attitudes towards certain ideas or systems. For example, one might discuss how a certain philosophical school despreza materialism, or how a social movement despreza consumerism. The word's power lies in its ability to convey a profound lack of respect and a dismissive attitude.
- Media Usage
- Found in articles criticizing arrogance, political commentary on disdain for certain groups, and character analyses in reviews of books and films.
O personagem principal parecia desprezar a autoridade.
- Literary Examples
- Common in classic literature to depict characters of high social standing looking down upon those of lower classes, or in stories of moral conflict where a character despises vice.
Ele falava de seu trabalho com um tom que indicava que ele o desprezava.
One common mistake when learning desprezar is confusing its intensity with milder negative feelings like 'dislike' or 'disagree.' Desprezar implies a much stronger emotion, a feeling of contempt and superiority. Using it for a minor annoyance would be an exaggeration and might sound unnatural.
Another potential pitfall is misconjugating the verb. While regular in many tenses, learners might forget the 'e' to 'ei' stem change in certain forms of the present indicative (e.g., 'eu desprezo,' not 'eu desprezo'). Always double-check the conjugation for the specific subject and tense you are using.
Furthermore, learners might incorrectly use desprezar reflexively ('se desprezar') when they mean to express that someone else is being despised. While 'ele se despreza' means 'he despises himself,' it's crucial to distinguish this from 'ele despreza a si mesmo' (he despises himself) or, more commonly, 'ele despreza os outros' (he despises others).
It's also important to remember that desprezar is a transitive verb, meaning it usually requires a direct object. Sentences like 'Ele despreza' without specifying *what* or *whom* is being despised can sound incomplete or grammatically awkward in many contexts, unless the object is clearly implied by the preceding conversation.
- Mistake 1: Underestimation
- Using desprezar for mild dislike. Correct usage requires a strong feeling of contempt or disgust.
Incorrecto: Eu desprezo o café frio. (Too strong for mild dislike)
Correcto: Eu não gosto muito de café frio. (I don't like cold coffee very much.)
- Mistake 2: Conjugation Errors
- Incorrect verb endings. For example, using 'despreza' for 'eu' instead of 'desprezo'.
Incorrecto: Eu despreza a sua arrogância. (Incorrect conjugation)
Correcto: Eu desprezo a sua arrogância. (Correct conjugation)
While desprezar means to despise or scorn, other Portuguese words convey related but distinct meanings of negative judgment or aversion. Understanding these nuances helps in choosing the most appropriate word for a given context.
Odiar (to hate) is a strong emotion, but it's more about intense dislike and animosity rather than the sense of superiority and worthlessness implied by desprezar. You can hate someone without necessarily despising them; hate is often more personal and less judgmental about their inherent value.
Rejeitar (to reject) is about refusing or turning away from something or someone. While rejection can stem from contempt, it's primarily an act of dismissal rather than an expression of deep-seated disdain. You might reject a proposal because you don't think it's feasible, not necessarily because you despise the person who made it.
Menosprezar (to underestimate, to belittle, to disregard) is very close in meaning to desprezar, but it often carries a slightly less intense connotation of pure contempt. It can imply looking down on someone or something, but also treating them as if they are less important or capable than they are. One might menosprezar a competitor's abilities, while desprezar their entire character.
Desdenhar (to disdain, to sneer at) is also similar, often involving a haughty or scornful attitude, but it can sometimes focus more on the outward expression of contempt, like a sneer or a dismissive gesture, rather than the deep internal feeling of repugnance that desprezar suggests.
- Desprezar vs. Odiar
- Desprezar: Implies contempt, a feeling of superiority, and judgment of worthlessness. Odiar: Implies intense dislike, animosity, and often a personal aversion.
Ele despreza a futilidade, mas odia quem a pratica.
- Desprezar vs. Menosprezar
- Desprezar: Stronger, implies complete contempt and dismissal. Menosprezar: Can mean to belittle, underestimate, or disregard, often with a less absolute sense of worthlessness.
Ele despreza a incompetência, mas menospreza a experiência dos novatos.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The Latin root 'spicere' (to look) is also related to words like 'spectacle' and 'inspect'. So, 'desprezar' essentially means to 'look away' or 'look down' from something, implying a negative judgment and a refusal to engage with it positively.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 's' sound as 'z' in the first syllable.
- Incorrectly stressing the first syllable.
- Muddling the vowel sound in the stressed syllable.
Difficulty Rating
The word 'desprezar' implies a strong emotion and judgment, which can be nuanced. Understanding its intensity and context is key for accurate comprehension. Learners might initially confuse it with milder negative feelings.
Using 'desprezar' correctly in writing requires a good grasp of its emotional weight and grammatical structure. Overusing it or using it in inappropriate contexts can lead to unnatural phrasing or miscommunication.
Pronouncing 'desprezar' correctly and using it in spoken Portuguese requires practice. Conveying the intended intensity of contempt without sounding overly aggressive or unnatural is a skill that develops with exposure.
Recognizing 'desprezar' in spoken Portuguese requires familiarity with its pronunciation and common contexts. Its strong connotation means it often stands out in conversations or narratives.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Transitive Verbs: 'Desprezar' is typically a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. This means you need to specify what or whom is being despised.
Eu desprezo a injustiça. (I despise injustice.) - Correct. Eu desprezo. (I despise.) - Incomplete without context.
Verb Conjugation: Like most Portuguese verbs, 'desprezar' needs to be conjugated according to the subject and tense.
Eu desprezo (present), ele desprezou (past), nós desprezaremos (future).
Prepositions with Nouns: The noun form 'desprezo' often appears with prepositions like 'por' or 'de'.
Ele sente desprezo por mim. (He feels contempt for me.) O olhar de desprezo. (The look of contempt.)
Reflexive Pronouns: 'Desprezar' can be used reflexively with 'se' to mean 'to despise oneself'.
Ela se despreza por não ter tentado antes. (She despises herself for not trying sooner.)
Subjunctive Mood: 'Desprezar' can appear in the subjunctive mood, especially after expressions of doubt, emotion, or necessity.
É importante que você não despreze os sentimentos alheios. (It's important that you don't despise others' feelings.)
Examples by Level
Eu não gosto disso.
I don't like that.
Simple present tense of 'gostar' (to like).
Ele acha isso feio.
He finds that ugly.
'Achar' (to find/think) + adjective.
Ela não quer aquilo.
She doesn't want that.
Simple present tense of 'querer' (to want).
Isso é ruim.
That is bad.
Simple 'ser' (to be) + adjective.
Ele não gosta de barulho.
He doesn't like noise.
'Gostar de' (to like) + noun.
Eu acho isso chato.
I find that boring.
'Achar' + adjective.
Ela rejeita a ideia.
She rejects the idea.
Simple present tense of 'rejeitar' (to reject).
Não me agrada.
It does not please me.
Impersonal use of 'agradar' (to please).
Ele despreza a arrogância das pessoas ricas.
He despises the arrogance of rich people.
Present tense of 'desprezar' (to despise) + noun.
Aquela atitude me causa repulsa.
That attitude causes me repulsion.
'Causar' (to cause) + noun.
Eu não suporto gente falsa.
I can't stand fake people.
'Não suportar' (to not stand/tolerate) + noun phrase.
Eles menosprezam o trabalho manual.
They belittle manual labor.
Present tense of 'menosprezar' (to belittle/underestimate) + noun.
Ela tem um profundo desprezo pela hipocrisia.
She has a deep contempt for hypocrisy.
Noun 'desprezo' (contempt) + preposition 'pela' (for the).
Ninguém deve desdenhar dos mais fracos.
No one should disdain the weaker ones.
Present subjunctive of 'desdenhar' (to disdain) + noun phrase.
Ele se ressente das críticas que recebeu.
He resents the criticism he received.
'Ressentir-se de' (to resent) + noun.
Acho suas desculpas pouco sinceras.
I find your apologies insincere.
'Achar' + adjective + noun.
O juiz desprezou as evidências apresentadas pela defesa.
The judge disregarded the evidence presented by the defense.
Past tense of 'desprezar' (to disregard/despise) + noun phrase.
Ele sempre demonstrou um certo desdém pelos costumes locais.
He always showed a certain disdain for the local customs.
Noun 'desdém' (disdain) + preposition 'pelos' (for the).
A crítica social em sua obra busca expor aqueles que desprezam os valores humanos.
The social critique in his work seeks to expose those who despise human values.
Present tense of 'desprezar' + noun phrase.
Não podemos nos dar ao luxo de menosprezar os pequenos detalhes.
We cannot afford to underestimate the small details.
Infinitive 'menosprezar' + noun phrase.
Ela sentiu uma profunda aversão pela crueldade do homem.
She felt a deep aversion to the man's cruelty.
Noun 'aversão' (aversion) + preposition 'pela' (for the).
O político foi acusado de desprezar a vontade popular.
The politician was accused of despising the popular will.
Infinitive 'desprezar' after 'acusado de' (accused of).
Ele tem um histórico de menosprezar seus subordinados.
He has a history of belittling his subordinates.
Gerund 'menosprezando' implied in 'histórico de' + noun.
A obra de arte foi recebida com indiferença por alguns, e com desprezo por outros.
The work of art was received with indifference by some, and with contempt by others.
Noun 'desprezo' (contempt) + preposition 'com' (with).
A elite intelectual frequentemente despreza as manifestações culturais populares, considerando-as superficiais.
The intellectual elite often despises popular cultural manifestations, considering them superficial.
Present tense of 'desprezar' + participle clause 'considerando-as'.
É inaceitável que um líder político despreze os direitos fundamentais de seus cidadãos.
It is unacceptable that a political leader despises the fundamental rights of their citizens.
Subjunctive mood of 'desprezar' after 'que' (that).
O crítico literário não se conteve em seu desprezo pela obra, classificando-a como um desserviço à literatura.
The literary critic did not hold back in his contempt for the work, classifying it as a disservice to literature.
Noun 'desprezo' used with a possessive adjective and preposition.
Muitos jovens sentem que a sociedade os menospreza por suas escolhas de vida.
Many young people feel that society belittles them for their life choices.
Passive voice with 'menospreza' (belittles) + pronoun 'os' (them).
O filme retrata um personagem que despreza a si mesmo por suas falhas passadas.
The film portrays a character who despises himself for his past failures.
Reflexive use of 'desprezar' (despises himself).
A arrogância com que ele falava sobre seus rivais demonstrava um claro desprezo.
The arrogance with which he spoke about his rivals demonstrated clear contempt.
Noun 'desprezo' used as the object of 'demonstrava' (demonstrated).
Não deveríamos desdenhar das tradições, mesmo que pareçam antiquadas.
We should not disdain traditions, even if they seem old-fashioned.
Subjunctive of 'desdenhar' (to disdain) + noun phrase.
A desvalorização do trabalho artístico é um sintoma de uma sociedade que despreza a criatividade.
The devaluation of artistic work is a symptom of a society that despises creativity.
Present tense of 'desprezar' + noun phrase.
A retórica do político visava a incitar o desprezo da população em relação ao grupo minoritário.
The politician's rhetoric aimed to incite the population's contempt towards the minority group.
Noun 'desprezo' (contempt) as the object of 'incitar' (to incite).
Em seu ensaio, ele argumenta que a obsolescência programada é um reflexo de um sistema que despreza o meio ambiente.
In his essay, he argues that planned obsolescence is a reflection of a system that despises the environment.
Present tense of 'desprezar' + noun phrase.
A forma como ele tratava os servos era marcada por um profundo escárnio, um desprezo que transcendia a mera hierarquia social.
The way he treated the servants was marked by deep scorn, a contempt that transcended mere social hierarchy.
Noun 'desprezo' used in apposition to 'escárnio' (scorn).
A desconstrução das narrativas hegemônicas muitas vezes enfrenta a resistência daqueles que se apegam a um passado idealizado e desprezam o presente.
The deconstruction of hegemonic narratives often faces resistance from those who cling to an idealized past and despise the present.
Present tense of 'desprezar' + noun phrase.
O autor explora a complexidade de um personagem que, ao desprezar o mundo exterior, se isola em sua própria psique.
The author explores the complexity of a character who, by despising the outside world, isolates himself in his own psyche.
Gerund 'desprezando' (despising) used to explain the character's action.
A proliferação de notícias falsas é um sintoma preocupante de uma sociedade que parece desprezar a verdade objetiva.
The proliferation of fake news is a worrying symptom of a society that seems to despise objective truth.
Present tense of 'desprezar' + noun phrase.
O filme questiona a validade de um sistema que, em sua busca por eficiência, acaba por desprezar a dignidade humana.
The film questions the validity of a system that, in its pursuit of efficiency, ends up despising human dignity.
Infinitive 'desprezar' in a subordinate clause.
A postura de superioridade moral que ele adota frequentemente o leva a desprezar aqueles que considera inferiores.
The posture of moral superiority he adopts often leads him to despise those he considers inferior.
Infinitive 'desprezar' as the object of 'leva a' (leads to).
A filosofia estoica, em sua busca pela virtude, propõe um certo desprezo pelas paixões mundanas e pelos bens materiais efêmeros.
Stoic philosophy, in its pursuit of virtue, proposes a certain contempt for worldly passions and ephemeral material goods.
Noun 'desprezo' (contempt) as the object of 'propõe' (proposes).
A crítica pós-estruturalista frequentemente desmantela discursos que, sob a aparência de universalidade, ocultam um profundo desprezo por epistemologias não ocidentais.
Post-structuralist criticism frequently deconstructs discourses that, under the guise of universality, hide a deep contempt for non-Western epistemologies.
Noun 'desprezo' (contempt) as the object of 'ocultam' (hide).
O artista, através de suas instalações provocativas, busca confrontar o espectador com o desprezo que a sociedade moderna nutre pela natureza.
The artist, through his provocative installations, seeks to confront the viewer with the contempt that modern society harbors for nature.
Noun 'desprezo' (contempt) as the object of 'nutre' (harbors).
A ascensão de movimentos populistas é, em parte, um sintoma de um eleitorado que se sente desprezado pelas elites políticas e econômicas.
The rise of populist movements is, in part, a symptom of a electorate that feels despised by the political and economic elites.
Past participle 'desprezado' (despised) used in a passive construction.
A literatura do absurdo frequentemente expõe a futilidade da existência humana e o desprezo inerente às convenções sociais.
Absurdist literature often exposes the futility of human existence and the inherent contempt in social conventions.
Noun 'desprezo' (contempt) + adjective 'inerente' (inherent).
O colonialismo, em sua essência, implicava um desprezo pela cultura e pela identidade dos povos subjugados.
Colonialism, in its essence, implied a contempt for the culture and identity of subjugated peoples.
Noun 'desprezo' (contempt) + preposition 'pela' (for the).
A autoridade moral de um indivíduo é posta em xeque quando ele demonstra desprezo pelas leis que deveria defender.
An individual's moral authority is called into question when they demonstrate contempt for the laws they should defend.
Noun 'desprezo' (contempt) as the object of 'demonstra' (demonstrates).
A globalização, apesar de seus benefícios, também pode exacerbar um sentimento de desprezo pelas identidades locais.
Globalization, despite its benefits, can also exacerbate a feeling of contempt for local identities.
Noun 'desprezo' (contempt) + preposition 'pelas' (for the).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Don't despise me! / Don't look down on me!
Mesmo que eu seja jovem, não me despreze; tenho muito a oferecer.
— He despises everything.
Parece que ele despreza tudo que é simples e cotidiano.
— Despising others is ugly/wrong.
É importante lembrar que desprezar os outros é feio e prejudicial.
— To feel contempt for someone
Ela começou a sentir desprezo por ele após descobrir suas mentiras.
— To scorn/disregard danger
O alpinista, experiente, desprezava o perigo da escalada.
— To scorn what is common/ordinary
Muitos artistas desprezam o que é comum em busca de originalidade.
— To have a look of contempt/scorn
Ele lançou um olhar de desprezo para o palestrante.
— To scorn/disregard good fortune
Ele despreza a sorte que teve, sempre reclamando.
Often Confused With
'Menosprezar' often implies underestimating or belittling, while 'desprezar' is a stronger, more absolute contempt, viewing something as entirely worthless.
'Desdenhar' can involve a more outward expression of disdain, like a sneer, whereas 'desprezar' often points to a deeper internal feeling of contempt.
'Rejeitar' is simply to refuse or reject. While rejection can stem from contempt, it doesn't necessarily imply the same depth of disgust or superiority as 'desprezar'.
Idioms & Expressions
— A look of contempt or disdain; a scornful glance.
Quando ouviu a sugestão, ele lançou um olhar de desprezo para o colega.
Neutral— To treat someone with contempt or disdain; to scorn someone.
Ela se recusou a ser tratada com desprezo e saiu da sala.
Neutral— To scorn or be ungrateful for one's daily bread; to be unappreciative of basic necessities or one's livelihood.
Ele tem um bom emprego, mas parece desprezar o pão de cada dia.
Informal/Figurative— Not to scorn/disregard an opportunity; to take advantage of an opportunity.
É importante não desprezar a oportunidade de aprender algo novo.
Neutral— To step on someone who is already down; to show contempt or take advantage of someone in a vulnerable position. (Related in sentiment to despising someone in a weak state)
Ele não só o demitiu, mas ainda fez questão de pisar em quem estava no chão.
Informal— To make little of someone/something; to belittle or dismiss them. (Similar to despising)
Ele sempre faz pouco dos esforços dos outros.
Neutral— To turn one's face away from; to ignore or show disdain for.
Ele virou a cara para as críticas, como se não as ouvisse.
Neutral— To hold in low regard; to think little of.
Ela sempre teve em pouca conta as opiniões superficiais.
Neutral— To not give value to; to disregard or underestimate.
Muitos não dão valor à saúde até que a perdem.
Neutral— To solemnly ignore; to deliberately and noticeably disregard.
Ele a ignorou solenemente durante toda a festa.
Formal/FigurativeEasily Confused
Both verbs express a negative judgment and looking down on something or someone.
'Desprezar' signifies a complete and utter contempt, viewing the object as fundamentally worthless. 'Menosprezar' is often about underestimating, belittling, or treating something as less important than it is. You might 'menosprezar' a competitor's chances of winning, but you would 'desprezar' their character if you found it morally reprehensible.
Ele menospreza o esforço dos outros, mas despreza a desonestidade.
Both words relate to showing disdain or scorn.
'Desprezar' is a more internal and profound feeling of contempt, a deep-seated sense of superiority and worthlessness. 'Desdenhar' often implies a more outward, haughty, or scornful attitude, sometimes expressed through gestures or tone, and can be less intense than pure 'desprezo'.
Ela desdenha de suas roupas simples, mas despreza sua falta de caráter.
Both are strong negative emotions.
'Odiar' (to hate) is an intense dislike and animosity, often personal. 'Desprezar' is about contempt and a judgment of worthlessness, often from a position of perceived superiority. You can hate someone without necessarily despising their entire being, and you can despise an idea or action without personal animosity.
Eu odeio a guerra, mas desprezo a crueldade dos que a promovem.
Both can lead to a person or thing being excluded or dismissed.
'Rejeitar' is the act of refusing or turning away from something or someone. It's an action. 'Desprezar' is the feeling or attitude of contempt that might lead to rejection. You might 'rejeitar' a proposal because you 'desprezar' the proposer's motives.
Ele rejeitou a oferta porque despreza o chefe.
Both imply reducing the perceived worth of something.
'Desvalorizar' means to devalue, to make something seem less valuable or important. 'Desprezar' is a much stronger emotion, viewing the object as inherently worthless or contemptible. You might 'desvalorizar' the importance of a minor issue, but you would 'desprezar' a hateful ideology.
Não desvalorize suas conquistas, mas despreze a arrogância.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + despreza + Object
O gato despreza a água.
Eu não desprezo + Object
Eu não desprezo a sua opinião.
Ele/Ela despreza + Object + por + Reason
Ele a despreza por sua vaidade.
Nós desprezamos + Object
Nós desprezamos a injustiça.
Subject + tem desprezo por + Object
O velho professor tem desprezo por alunos preguiçosos.
Subject + despreza + Object + como + Adjective
O crítico despreza o filme como sendo superficial.
Subject + despreza + Object + ao + Infinitive
Ele despreza a si mesmo ao pensar em seus erros.
Subject + despreza + Object + gerund
A sociedade despreza a ignorância, mesmo que a perpetue.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Medium
-
Using 'desprezar' for mild dislike.
→
Using 'não gostar' or 'achar chato'.
'Desprezar' implies a strong emotion of contempt and repugnance, viewing the object as worthless. For mild dislikes, use less intense vocabulary.
-
Incorrect conjugation (e.g., 'eu despreza').
→
'Eu desprezo'.
The verb 'desprezar' follows regular conjugation patterns, but learners often make errors with the first-person singular present indicative form. Always double-check.
-
Forgetting the direct object.
→
'Ele despreza a arrogância.'
'Desprezar' is typically transitive. Sentences like 'Ele despreza.' are often incomplete unless the object is clearly understood from context.
-
Confusing 'desprezar' with 'menosprezar' or 'desdenhar'.
→
Using 'desprezar' for complete contempt and worthlessness, 'menosprezar' for underestimation/belittling, and 'desdenhar' for outward haughtiness.
While related, each word has a specific nuance. 'Desprezar' is the strongest, implying total disdain. Understanding these distinctions is key for precise communication.
-
Using 'desprezar' reflexively incorrectly.
→
'Ele se despreza' (He despises himself).
The reflexive form 'se desprezar' refers to despising oneself. Confusing this with despising others can lead to miscommunication. Ensure the object of contempt is clear.
Tips
Stress on the Second Syllable
Remember that the stress in 'desprezar' falls on the second syllable: 'des-PRE-zar'. Practicing this rhythm will make your pronunciation sound more natural.
Transitive Verb Usage
'Desprezar' is usually transitive, meaning it needs a direct object. Always specify what or whom is being despised to make your sentences clear and grammatically correct.
Intensity Matters
Don't confuse 'desprezar' with mild dislike. It signifies a deep feeling of contempt and superiority. Use it when you mean it!
Common in Negative Critiques
You'll often hear 'desprezar' in contexts of criticism, whether it's social, literary, or personal. It's used to express strong negative judgments.
Visual Association
Imagine someone standing on a high 'spire' looking down with disgust. This visual can help you remember the 'dis-' prefix and the 'spicere' (to look) root, linking it to contempt.
Distinguish from 'Odiar'
'Odiar' (to hate) is about intense dislike, while 'desprezar' is about contempt and judgment of worthlessness. They are related but distinct emotions.
Avoid Overuse
While a powerful word, overuse of 'desprezar' can make your language sound overly dramatic or aggressive. Consider milder alternatives for less intense negative feelings.
Latin Roots
From Latin 'despicere' (to look down upon), the word's origin highlights its core meaning of disdain and dismissal based on perceived inferiority.
Sentence Building
Create sentences using 'desprezar' in different tenses and with various objects to solidify your understanding and usage.
Social Implications
In many societies, expressing 'desprezo' is seen as a negative character trait. Use the word thoughtfully, often to critique such attitudes rather than to adopt them.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine someone looking down from a high tower (a 'spire') at something they dislike, saying 'Dis-spire!'. The 'dis-' prefix suggests negativity, and 'spire' hints at the 'spicere' root of looking down.
Visual Association
Picture a person standing on a tall spire, looking down with a disgusted expression at something small and insignificant on the ground. The height emphasizes superiority, and the expression shows contempt.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'desprezar' in three different sentences describing characters or situations where someone exhibits strong contempt or disdain. Focus on conveying the intensity of the emotion.
Word Origin
The Portuguese verb 'desprezar' comes from the Latin verb 'despicere', which itself is formed from the prefix 'dis-' (meaning 'apart', 'away', or 'negation') and the verb 'spicere' (meaning 'to look'). Thus, the literal meaning is 'to look down upon' or 'to look away from'. This etymology perfectly captures the sense of disdain and dismissal inherent in the word.
Original meaning: To look down upon; to regard from a height.
Romance (derived from Latin)Cultural Context
Using 'desprezar' can be quite strong and should be employed carefully, as it implies a significant negative judgment. It's not a word for casual dislikes.
In English, 'despise' carries a similar weight of intense dislike and contempt, often implying a moral judgment of worthlessness.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Social criticism and commentary
- desprezar os direitos
- desprezar a verdade
- desprezar a natureza
Character descriptions in literature and film
- desprezar os outros
- desprezar a si mesmo
- olhar de desprezo
Expressing strong personal aversions
- desprezar a falsidade
- desprezar a arrogância
- ter desprezo por
Political discourse
- desprezar a vontade popular
- desprezar a lei
- desprezar o povo
Moral judgments
- desprezar a crueldade
- desprezar a injustiça
- desprezar a corrupção
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever felt so strongly about something that you could say you 'desprezar' it?"
"Can you think of a character in a book or movie who really embodies the act of 'desprezar' others?"
"How is the feeling of 'desprezar' different from simply 'disliking' something?"
"When might it be considered appropriate or understandable to 'desprezar' a certain type of behavior?"
"What are some common things that people in your culture tend to 'desprezar'?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you witnessed someone 'desprezar' another person or situation. What were the circumstances and what was the impact?
Reflect on a value or principle that you hold very strongly. How would you explain why you 'desprezar' actions or beliefs that go against it?
Imagine you are a character in a story who is known for their 'desprezo'. Write a short monologue from their perspective, explaining their worldview.
Consider the difference between 'desprezar' and 'respecting'. Write about why respecting others, even those with whom you disagree, is important.
Think about a historical event or social issue where 'desprezar' played a role. How did this contempt influence the events or the people involved?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'desprezar' is inherently negative. It signifies a strong feeling of contempt, disdain, and often a sense of superiority. It's never used to express positive regard or even neutral observation.
'Odiar' (to hate) is an intense dislike and animosity, often personal. 'Desprezar' (to despise) is about contempt and a judgment of worthlessness, often from a position of perceived superiority. You can hate someone without necessarily despising their entire being, and you can despise an idea or action without personal animosity.
Yes, absolutely. You can 'desprezar' things like lies, injustice, ignorance, or even certain types of art or music if you find them utterly worthless or offensive.
Yes, 'desprezar' is a strong word. It conveys a deep level of contempt and repugnance, much more than simple dislike. Use it when you want to express a profound negative judgment.
The past tense (preterite perfect) is formed with the auxiliary verb 'ter' (to have) and the past participle 'desprezado'. For example, 'Eu desprezei' (I despised), 'Ele desprezou' (He despised), 'Nós desprezámos' (We despised).
The noun form is 'desprezo', which means contempt, disdain, or scorn.
'Desprezar' implies a complete dismissal and viewing something as worthless. 'Menosprezar' often means to underestimate, belittle, or disregard, which can be less absolute than 'desprezar'.
Yes, 'se desprezar' means 'to despise oneself'. This is less common than despising others but is a valid usage, often related to self-hatred or deep regret.
Yes, common phrases include 'olhar de desprezo' (a look of contempt) and 'ter desprezo por' (to have contempt for).
Consider using synonyms like 'não gostar' (to dislike), 'rejeitar' (to reject), or 'considerar ruim' (to consider bad) for milder negative feelings. Reserve 'desprezar' for situations where genuine contempt is felt.
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Summary
Desprezar is a strong verb indicating deep contempt and a feeling of superiority, used when someone or something is considered utterly worthless or offensive. It's more intense than simple dislike.
- Desprezar means to despise or scorn.
- It implies a strong feeling of contempt and superiority.
- Used for people, actions, or ideas deemed worthless.
- More intense than just 'dislike'.
Stress on the Second Syllable
Remember that the stress in 'desprezar' falls on the second syllable: 'des-PRE-zar'. Practicing this rhythm will make your pronunciation sound more natural.
Transitive Verb Usage
'Desprezar' is usually transitive, meaning it needs a direct object. Always specify what or whom is being despised to make your sentences clear and grammatically correct.
Intensity Matters
Don't confuse 'desprezar' with mild dislike. It signifies a deep feeling of contempt and superiority. Use it when you mean it!
Common in Negative Critiques
You'll often hear 'desprezar' in contexts of criticism, whether it's social, literary, or personal. It's used to express strong negative judgments.
Example
É errado desprezar as opiniões dos outros.
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a sério?
A2seriously?, an expression of surprise, disbelief, or to check earnestness
abalado
A2Emotionally disturbed or upset; shaken.
abalar
A2To shake or disturb (emotionally); to affect deeply.
abalo
A2Shock, emotional disturbance; a sudden, disturbing, or upsetting emotional experience.
abandonado
B1Left by the owner or inhabitants; deserted.
abatidamente
B1In a dejected or disheartened manner; dejectedly.
abatido
A2Dejected; sad and depressed; dispirited.
abatimento
A2Dejection; a sad and depressed state; low spirits.
abertamente
A2openly, frankly; without concealment; publicly.
abismado
B1Filled with astonishment or wonder.
